2012

2012

The role of the third sector in delivering social care

May 2012

Researchers at TSRC in Birmingham, in conjunction with colleagues in the Health Services Management Centre (HSMC), undertook a review for the NIHR School for Social Care Research, to examine the role of the third sector in delivering social care.

Third sector providers have been important in delivering social care for some time, but this role is changing in the context of personalisation and constrained financial resources. Despite this, our review highlights a lack of robust research in this area. There is a need to explore the different roles that third sector organisations play in relation to social care – both in delivering services and campaigning. Comparative research is needed to identify whether and how the third sector is distinctive.

The review calls for a better mix of research methods, such as the use of large-scale quantitative data to identify the scale and spread of third sector organisations involved in social care.

Vocality: developing an evaluation framework

February 2012

This evaluation framework was developed by the Third Sector Research Centre, University of Birmingham, for Making Music and Sound Sense. It was developed in partnership with choir leaders involved in the Vocality programme. It aims to provide a range of tools for measuring the impact of community choirs in deprived neighbourhoods - for both the individuals involved and the wider community.

The materials presented can be used and adapted by others involved in community choirs and grassroots arts more generally. However advance permissions should be sought from Sound Sense: 01449 737 342, kathryn.deane@soundsense.org and Making Music: 020 8422 8280, info@makingmusic.org.uk

Report (PDF, 1.64MB)

Research contact: Angus McCabe

Wherever there is money there is influence: exploring BIG’s impact on the third sector

February 2012

TSRC worked in partnership Big Lottery Fund (BIG) to explore the role and impact of BIG in the third sector. Although only representing a small proportion of charities’ overall income, BIG has been recognised as an important source of funding for the sector. The report offers questions and potential strategies for BIG and the third sector to address - about engagement, transparency, intelligence, independence, and the extent to which BIG is or could be an active policy actor.

The role of grassroots arts activities in communities

January 2012

This scoping study highlights the significant and positive contribution that grassroots arts activities make to the development of Civil Society. The research was carried out by TSRC in partnership with the Universities of Exeter and Glamorgan and Voluntary Arts, and with financial support from the Arts and Humanities Research Council’s Connected Communities programme.

Shelter piloted a programme of children’s services between 2007 and 2011, in some of the most deprived areas of England and Scotland. The programme aimed to prevent homelessness amongst families, children and young people, improve the outcomes for children experiencing homelessness and raise national policy awareness of, and responses to, the impact of homelessness on children's lives. Researchers from TSRC at the University of Birmingham carried out an independent longitudinal evaluation of this programme between 2007 and 2011. The final report summarises research findings over a four-year period.

Executive Summary | Full report

Seven interim reports were also published, covering individual local KTTF projects in England and Scotland.